How to dull my XM177 body?

[tomson2912882]

Hi guys,

Got a Classic Army xm177 that's been stripped to bare metal (previous owner tried an extensive weather look)

Now, I want it looking as authentic as possible but I'd like to do it without painting it...

I'm believing that the metal used to make up the body is aluminium - and it's this that I want to dull and darken to look like real steel.

I've read up all over google and such about oxidising metals but am met with further information that contradicts it.


So far I've read that aluminium can be dull and darkened with:

- Warm Salt water with vinegar

- Lye (liver of sulfur)

- bleach

- oven cleaner

- extreme sanding / sand blasting

- leaving outside in the rain and air


All of which have been contradicted with people saying no, these methods are used to clean the metal...??


Has anybody done this themselves or had experience with tarnishing metals that could lend a hand?


Any help is appreciated thanks guys

[BALBOSA]

Re: How to dull my XM177 body?

I found something called Patina its like a stain for metal, and you just keep going until you get a finish you want, however i found it hard to find, but didnt really look very hard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rD7o_WXwIA